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The differences between quality technicians and quality leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a quality technician, becoming a quality lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a quality lead has an average salary of $90,301, which is higher than the $37,007 average annual salary of a quality technician.
The top three skills for a quality technician include calipers, quality standards and corrective action. The most important skills for a quality lead are continuous improvement, product quality, and quality standards.
| Quality Technician | Quality Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $37,007 | $90,301 |
| Hourly rate | $17.79 | $43.41 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 80,291 | 62,018 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Quality systems analysts are professionals who analyze the implemented quality standards of an organization's business procedures and policies. These analysts are required to execute test plans and resolve discrepancies with their technical personnel. They must coordinate all internal audits of the quality system while implementing corrective action to their audit findings. They are required to conduct weekly meetings with development staff to discuss defects and revised business requirements. Quality systems analysts must also identify the quality training needs for operations personnel working with supervisors and quality engineers.
A quality assurance (QA) lead is responsible for organizing and managing the testing of products prior to its release. Your duties will include defining testing standards and strategies, establishing formal QA processes, and overseeing all aspects of QA, such as using best practices and establishing metrics. Additionally, you are responsible for supervising and mentoring QA team members, and developing and implementing scripts, test cases, and procedures. You are also responsible for managing off quality products and developing and institutionalizing ISO complaints.
Quality technicians and quality leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Technician | Quality Lead | |
| Average salary | $37,007 | $90,301 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $50,000 | Between $63,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a quality technician and a quality lead in terms of educational background:
| Quality Technician | Quality Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between quality technicians' and quality leads' demographics:
| Quality Technician | Quality Lead | |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.4% Female, 39.6% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |